Consultations for Parents and Loved Ones

A traumatic birth experience can feel like everything has changed. There can be memory issues, flashbacks, difficulty doing everyday chores, sleep issues, difficulty bonding with the baby, jumpiness and always being 'on guard', and much more. But you're told to "be grateful", "get over it", and "at least you have a healthy baby", or even "it's not about you". 

You may be thinking of having a baby after a traumatic birth but don't know where to turn. You can't do the same thing over again. Sometimes you just think about going out to the woods and birthing under a tree. 

At times, it feels like there is no one who understands.

At Birth Trauma Ontario, we understand. 

A traumatic pregnancy, birth, postpartum, or breastfeeding doesn't just "go away" because you love your baby.

A consultation can help you:

• sort out what happened by reviewing your experience, your records, and understanding the routines or interventions that may have been part of the experience
• discover why you might be dealing with various symptoms and what they mean
• identify various options for support and recovery
• plan for a future pregnancy that now includes the effects of a previous traumatic birth
• plan for a birth that meets your needs
• advocate for your needs and communicate more effectively with your care provider
• understand the experience and the aftermath of a traumatic experience of your loved one 
• connect to other parents who are on a similar journey

Billie Harrigan is the Founder and Director of Birth Trauma Ontario. She has been working with birthing families for 40 years and specialises in birth-related trauma and postpartum PTSD. A consultation can be a critical step in helping you to move forward in this journey you never asked for.